Magnusson, Anne M. (2022) The Intergroup Nature of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal: A Qualitative Study. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
The current study aimed to examine intergroup dynamics in the context of the COVID-19 vaccination debate. Specifically, it was investigated (1) whom unvaccinated individuals perceive as their ingroup, (2) whom unvaccinated individuals perceive as their outgroup, (3) with which group(s) they feel in conflict with, and (4) how these intergroup dynamics influence their vaccination decision. To examine these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with unvaccinated individuals from the Netherlands and Germany, with N = 16 interviews being included for the thematic analysis of transcripts. It was found that the social identity of unvaccinated individuals is based on values and opinions rather than on a vaccination status per se. Even though some conflicts existed between unvaccinated individuals and vaccinated and unvaccinated subgroups, the main conflict was with the government – the main outgroup. The latter had the strongest and a negative influence on participants’ vaccination decision. Theoretical implications for research on intergroup relations and societal implications for this and other societal debates are discussed. Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine refusal, intergroup conflict, social identity, social categorization
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Gordijn, E.H. and Stroebe, K.E. and Ton, G.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Applied Social Psychology (ASP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Jul 2022 07:09 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2022 07:09 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1002 |
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